A few days ago, in the historical center of the capital, the grand opening ceremony of the GRANDBALLET ballet school took place. Among the honored guests at the opening were Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Firgat Ziganshin, Tatyana Rogozina and many other friends and partners of the school.
A wonderful Friday evening, the mystery of the first falling snow and a wonderful date - the 95th anniversary of the birth of the great ballerina Maya Plisetskaya … All this became good signs on the opening day of the Maria Volodina ballet school. The atmosphere of the evening was enriched by a trio of violinists, a cover group "BellaLuna" and a host Timur Sklyarov.
By the beginning of the event, guests of the evening began to arrive: Nikolai Grishko, owner of a company that manufactures ballet clothes and shoes, partner; Tatyana Rogozina, longtime friend, songwriter, laureate of the Song of the Year and Chanson of the Year awards, public figure; Alexandra Durseneva, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, laureate of international competitions, who brilliantly sang Habaneer's aria L'amour est un oiseau rebelle from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet at the opening; Elena Andrienko, leading ballerina, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation; Elena Sokolova, theater and film actress, Firgat Ziganshin, entrepreneur who supported the ballet school at the opening stage.
The most anticipated guest of the evening was Nikolai Maksimovich Tsiskaridze, head of the school's board of trustees, People's Artist of Russia and Rector of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, laureate of two State Prizes of the Russian Federation and three theater awards "Golden Mask", member of the Council for Culture under the President of the Russian Federation and art.
In the midst of the evening, an auction took place, the main lot being the pointe shoes by Maria Allash (from the ballet of Raymond). Maria Allash is the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater, People's Artist of the Russian Federation. The honored guests of the opening ceremony left their autographs on the gift pointe shoes. Also under the hammer went under the hammer a wonderful collectible ballet "pointe" from Grishko.
The money received from the auction will be transferred to the young dancer Zinaida Novikova, supported by Maria Erikovna Volodina. Zinaida is a pupil of an orphanage, from the age of 6 she has been studying ballet at the Boris Eifman Dance Academy and dreams of getting to a performance at the Bolshoi Theater. Thanks to the auction, her dream will come true!
The participants shared their impressions of the evening.
Maria Volodina: “My dream is starting to come true, thanks for this to friends and partners, to all those who supported the development of the school. Today GRANDBALET is the first and only private ballet school in Russia that has received a license to conduct educational activities. Education at the school is based on the traditions of the Russian ballet school and is based on the experience and knowledge of great teachers. Thus, the school program was developed on the basis of the well-known methodology of A. Ya. Vaganova, and embodies her unique teaching staff. Thanks to him, the school keeps such a high standard.
In addition to the teaching staff, the school is also distinguished by a fully equipped material and technical base. A room of 1000 square meters is provided for classes. These are seven ballet halls with mirrors, barrels, Ortopol and high ceilings, as well as classrooms for theoretical disciplines, their own wardrobe and medical room. For this opportunity, I would like to thank Vladimir Petrovich Yevtushenkov, who converted the MGTS building into a ballet school."
Firgat Ziganshin: “Russian ballet is a synonym for the highest skill! The ballet school of Maria Volodina must continue to proudly bear this high title, and we, to the best of our ability, will support this wonderful undertaking so that every child has a chance to open up and realize himself."
Nikolai Tsiskaridze: “I am delighted that Maria managed to get a license! I know from my own experience how difficult it is. And today, when because of the pandemic, everything is closed and folded everywhere, to be present at the opening is a good and significant sign. I am glad that the school found many friends and partners who supported the initiative. This is a great rarity now, in this difficult time."
